Sydney coach John Longmire has signed a new deal to remain at the Swans, turning down a lucrative offer to take over the vacant position at North Melbourne.
The Swans on Friday confirmed Longmire has extended his contract for a further three years, tying him to the AFL club until the end of 2023.
It is a major blow for the Kangaroos, who had hoped to lure Longmire – a favourite son and premiership player – back to Arden St to replace Brad Scott.
Longmire’s decision could also benefit North caretaker Rhyce Shaw, who is building a strong case to take over the Kangaroos role permanently.
Sydney’s longest-serving coach, Longmire has overseen 191 games and led the Swans to the premiership in 2012.
“The job of the senior coach is a huge commitment from both sides, so it was important to take the time to ensure that I could continue to give the role the energy it needs,” he said in a statement.
“I’m really pleased that the club has the faith in me to continue and that I have the support of my family to continue.”
Paul Drake
Guest
I think this just another part of North's strategy to force costs up at other club's Football departments.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
And how does Sydney Repay John's faith...... With another snooze feast. I reckon this is a gain for North. The attractive footy they are playing right now would be thrown out the door the moment John stepped in it.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Reading your original comment on this thread, it is not possible to reconcile your latest contribution. Anyway, good luck to Geelong, they deserve the best this season.
Cat
Roar Guru
You indicated, "Longmire and Swans have a better record by far than Scott and Geelong in this decade". I have proven that to be false. I have never said Longmire is an inferior coach to anyone/ I never even made a comparison. YOU did. All I have said, and I still stand by it, is Swans need a new direction. The same old, same old is not working. Sydney no longer has the personnel to play the same way, plus the game has evolved. Every coach, even Clarkson reaches a use by date. I believe Longmire at Sydney has reached his. Clarkson's time at Hawthorn very well be reaching its end soon too.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Limited I’d say. I hope they give Shaw a run.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Times finished in top 8, in the completed seasons this decade, is as per my numbers. Yes Geelong will even that score by the end of the current season. Your original numbers had Geelong as outperforming the Swans in terms of season win/loss alone. Now you want to discount my response about finals win/loss. Sanctimonious rubbish. Sydney has outperformed Geelong in that valid measure, although Geelong may even that score also this year, we will see. None of this indicates that Longmire in an inferior coach to Scott or anyone else but arguably Clarkson, yet that was your proposal in response to this article. Looking at the numbers, it indicates that he is as superior a coach as all but one this decade, and more so that most.
anon
Roar Pro
It was a good win. Got to give them credit.
Cat
Roar Guru
Times finished in top 8 is 9/10 for both clubs. Geelong will play finals this year, Sydney will not. As for finals record, who cares, if you don’t win a flag it’s meaningless. Runner up is just the first loser. First goal is to play finals, second is to win a flag. No team sets a goal of ‘let’s just be runner up this year’.
Cat
Roar Guru
Times in top 8 = finals played. Didn't think that was hard to work out.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Ok, no response to my follow up question, so here goes. The justifiably admirable Geelong season win/loss 2010 – 2018 produced 7 finals wins in total, one GF appearance and one flag. The inferior Swans season win/loss over the same period produced 10, 3 and 1. Swans better. Times finished in top 8 is 9 to 8 in favour of the Swans. How am I going?
michael RVC
Roar Pro
You mean «Bit », right. Let’s see how Cat answers the follow up. :-). Amazing win for the Pies btw.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Times in top 8? Finals win/loss?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I think Ghost hates the Swans more than he loves Richmond
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Big hard to argue there!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Rhys has done a fair interview. Hey Anon, you were asking how long since the Pies beat the Eagles? 2 days ago champ.
Cat
Roar Guru
From 2010 onward: Win loss record (w-l-d) Sydney: 140 – 72– 2 Geelong: 155 – 56 – 2 Winning percentage Sydney: 65.4% Geelong: 72.8% Number of flags Sydney: 1 Geelong: 1 Played finals: Sydney: 9/10 Geelong: 9/10 Wanna try again?
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Truth.
Mitcher
Guest
As a swans fan who was shattered by falling short in at least one too many grand finals. Ok. But cold you satisfy my curiosity and name all those clubs who, in their intrepid search for excellence in the vein you’ve outlined above, have sacked grand final making coaches, for their failures on the big day. Genuinely interested to find out.
Cat
Roar Guru
Better record? Haha
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Not the best start to the 'new Longmire reign'. David Teague also giving Carlton brainstrust a real headache